Adjustable lamp shade

Abstract

A lamp shade for placement around a lamp is disclosed. The lamp shade comprises a plurality of elongated slats having an aperture proximate to each end thereof. Each end of each slat is interlaced with another end of at least one other slat such that apertures of each slat are coaxially aligned and form a pivot axis therethrough. A plurality of such aligned slats in succession form a geometrically shaped ring, and a plurality of such rings stacked on top of each other such that each pivot axis of one ring is substantially aligned with the pivot axis of an immediately adjacent ring to form a column. A flexible cord traverses each coaxially aligned aperture of each slat along each aligned pivot axis. Each flexible cord includes a stopping means at each end thereof, such as a knot formed in the flexible cord. In embodiments wherein each geometrically shaped ring is comprised of an even number of slats, the lamp shade can be folded into a generally flat configuration and then rolled into a rolled configuration for convenient storage and transportation thereof. In use, the column is placed around the lamp such that light is diffused by the interlaced slats. The slats are positionable so that one geometrically shaped ring may be only slightly differently shaped than its immediately adjacent rings. As such the lamp shade may be adjustable, the column taking any number of various forms. The effect of adjusting the lamp shade allows a variable pattern of light to escape from the sides of the lamp shade and from the open top end thereof.

1 . A lamp shade for placement around a lamp, comprising: 
 a plurality of elongated slats, each slat comprising a top surface, a bottom surface, at least one side surface, and an aperture proximate to each of a first end and a second end thereof, each aperture traversing one slat from the top surface through the slat to the bottom surface, each first end of each slat interlaced with the second end of at least one other slat such that apertures of each slat are coaxially aligned, the coaxially aligned apertures forming a pivot axis therethrough, a plurality of such aligned slats in succession forming a geometrically shaped ring, a plurality of such rings stacked on top of each other such that each pivot axis of one ring is substantially aligned with the pivot axis of an immediately adjacent ring, the stack of rings forming a column; and    a flexible cord traversing each coaxially aligned aperture of each slat along each aligned pivot axis, each flexible cord including a stopping means at each end;    whereby the column may be placed around the lamp such that light is diffused by the interlaced slats, the slats being positionable so that one geometrically shaped ring may be only slightly differently shaped than its immediately adjacent ring.    
   
   
       2 . The lamp shade of  claim 1  wherein each geometrically shaped ring is comprised of an even number of slats, such that the lamp shade may be folded into a generally flat configuration and rolled into a rolled configuration.  
   
   
       3 . The lamp shade of  claim 1  wherein each geometrically shaped ring is comprised of an odd number of slats.  
   
   
       4 . The lamp shade of  claim 1  wherein the flexible cord is also an elastic cord.  
   
   
       5 . The lamp shade of  claim 1  wherein the stopping means of each cord is a knot in the cord, the knot being larger than each aperture of each slat.  
   
   
       6 . The lamp shade of  claim 1  wherein each geometrically shaped ring is comprised of three slats.  
   
   
       7 . The lamp shade of  claim 1  wherein each geometrically shaped ring is comprised of four slats.  
   
   
       8 . The lamp shade of  claim 1  wherein each geometrically shaped ring is comprised of five slats.  
   
   
       9 . The lamp shade of  claim 1  wherein each geometrically shaped ring is comprised of five slats.  
   
   
       10 . The lamp shade of  claim 1  wherein each geometrically shaped ring is comprised of six slats.  
   
   
       11 . The lamp shade of  claim 1  wherein each geometrically shaped ring is comprised of seven slats.  
   
   
       12 . The lamp shade of  claim 1  wherein each geometrically shaped ring is comprised of eight slats.  
   
   
       13 . The lamp shade of  claim 1  wherein each geometrically shaped ring is comprised of nine slats.  
   
   
       14 . The lamp shade of  claim 1  wherein each geometrically shaped ring is comprised of ten slats.  
   
   
       15 . The lamp shade of  claim 1  wherein each geometrically shaped ring is comprised of eleven slats.  
   
   
       16 . The lamp shade of  claim 1  wherein each geometrically shaped ring is comprised of twelve slats.  
   
   
       17 . The lamp shade of  claim 1  further including a support bracket having at least one end that includes an aperture and another end slidably fixed to the lamp with a slotted aperture, the aperture of the one end of the bracket being co-aligned with one pivot axis and positioned between two slats, the flexible cord traversing the aperture of the bracket, whereby the bracket holds the column in a vertically fixed position with regards to the lamp.  
   
   
       18 . The lamp shade of  claim 1  further including a plurality of gauge rings, each gauge ring including an aperture therein for receiving the flexible cord, whereby each gauge ring may be fixed between slats on the flexible cord.